About Joe

Joe Russello, a graduate of the Golf Academy of the South, has been in the golf business for the past 18 years. He began as an assistant golf pro with a passion to teach. In the beginning he spent a lot of time instructing while in Massachusetts and continued to teach when he decided to move to Georgia. It was here when he became a Head Golf Professional and eventually promoted to General Manager. Joe has worked with several different properties within the Sequoia/Invited portfolio and enjoys all of the different challenges it brings. His focus is to provide member and guest satisfaction through quality management on a daily basis. When Joe is not working he enjoys fitness workouts, golfing, exploring new restaurants with his wife and spending time with his dog, Sal.

About Tiffany

Tiffany Allen comes to us from the Clubs of Peachtree City where she served as both Member Relations Director and Membership Manager. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sports Management from Georgia Southern University and previously worked for the Fayette Chamber of Commerce with oversight of events and membership engagement.

About Daniel

Before assuming this role, I was the Assistant Golf Professional at Planterra Ridge. I have been a member of the Invited Clubs family since March 2013 (6 years at Planterra & 3 years at Whitewater Creek). While at the clubs, I have assisted members in the Pro Shop and coached in the Ladies league and the PGA Junior leagues. I also provide private lessons for our members and guests. Before joining ClubCorp, I was a coach for The First Tee of Atlanta at John A. White Golf Course. Accomplishments include being one of the 2018 top 5 finalists for the ClubCorp Assistant Golf Professional of the Year and Coach of the Fall 2018, 2019 & 2020 PGA Junior League Championship teams.

About James

Eddy Young is a native Atlantan, having been raised 15 miles north of Canongate. A graduate of Southwest Atlanta High School and Georgia Southern University with a BS in Criminal Justice. Eddy entered the golf business in the Dekalb county system, serving as an assistant professional at Sugar Creek And Mystery Valley. After serving as an assistant professional, Eddy served as the Head Professional at Riverside Golf and Country Club in Macon and Hidden Hills in Stone Mountain. He has been the Head Professional at Canongate 1 for sixteen years. Eddy was the co-founder of the Georgia PGA Senior Division serving as its Vice President for eight years. He was also the first GPGA Player of the Year in 2001. Eddy is married to Judy and has two children, both living in the Washington D.C. area.

About Sean

Hello. I’m Sean Renaud, the Head Golf Professional at White Oak for the past nine years. I grew up in Cocoa Beach, Florida and graduated high school in 1990. I was accepted to Mississippi State University and studied in the Professional Golf Management program. Graduated and awarded a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a major in Marketing. I then became the Assistant Golf Professional at Saugahatchee Country Club and elected to the PGA in 1999. In 2000 I moved to Newnan, Georgia, where I received my first Head Golf Professional job at Newnan Country Club. I have two boys, Ryan Renaud age 17 and Ethan Renaud age 20. I enjoy all sports and follow the BRAVES in baseball and the COWBOYS in the NFL. If I’m not golfing, let’s get a deck of cards out for a good Poker game. I look forward to meeting you! Keep it in the short grass - Sean

About Todd

Todd is a McIntosh High Graduate, HOF member, and State champion. He was top 10 Nationally ranked Junior Golfer and AJGA multi-winner... he proceeded to continue his winning habits in college at NC State and on the Mini-Tours before settling down as a PGA Professional. Recently he has been awarded the Georgia Section Junior Golf Leader of the year and Georgia Central Chapter Instructor of the Year as well as Golf Professional of the Year. He works with all levels of golfers and all ages. Todd is a dad and family man and wants to help you and your family grow to love the game that has brought him so much joy!

About John

John Leighton was born and raised in Ottawa, Illinois (80 miles Southwest of Chicago). He graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, where he was the Punter and Kicker on their 3-Time National Champion football team. He also lettered in swimming, diving, and golf. John’s golf instruction mentor is Lifetime PGA Tour Member and Master Instructor Wally Armstrong. John is the author of Wally’s “Swing the Circle” teaching certification program. In 2017, John was a guest instructor at NBC’s Golf Channel Academy School with Sean Foley, Martin Chuck, and Andrew Rice. John was also a guest instructor at the LPGA/USGA Girl’s Golf Clinic at the Kia Classic LPGA Event in 2014 and 2015. PGA Hall of Fame members Dr. Gary Wiren, Judy Alvarez, Martin Chuck, and Mike Schy (Bryson DeChambeau’s Coach) have also been invaluable mentors. As a multi-sport athlete, John’s teaching philosophy is to maximize your athleticism, balance, and movement while Having Fun!

About Angela

Angela Ormsby, new Golf instructor at White Oak. Angela's impressive resume includes her success as a Top 5 Junior Golfer in the U.S., AJGA Winner, and Curtis Cup player. She spent 7 years actively playing on the LPGA Tour and played in over 10 Majors. She was a member of the UGA Ladies' Golf Team where they won a National Championship, multiple SEC Championships, and she was awarded the Individual SEC Player of the Year in 2002. She's now a mom and loves to help players of all ages learn to love the game like she does!

About Joseph

Joseph is a dedicated Golf Instructor with a passion for helping others improve their golf games. Joseph has an extensive career coaching golfers of all skill levels and is the current coach to several talented Collegiate Golfers. Joseph is also a father to 4 beautiful children and is happily married to his long-time Wife D’Andra Lynn. Joseph started with Canongate 1 in April of 2022 and is absolutely loving it. Certifications/ Accomplishments: United States Golf Teachers Federation Certified Professional Golf Coach, & USGTF Golf Instructor, PGA Apprentice, Titleist Performance Institute Level 2 Golf Instructor & Level 2 Fitness Expert, Capto Level 2 Putting Expert, Eyeline Elite 4 Putting Elements Certified Instructor, Eyeline Elite Tour Roll Certified Instructor, SIK Golf Custom Putter Fitting Expert, The Golf Room Everywhere Certified Instructor, Sportsbox 3D Certified, Certified Club & Shaft Fitter.

About Michele

Michele Haase is originally from Rochester, New York. She graduated from Paul Smiths College and Niagara University with AAS and BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management. After working at The Gateway Catering Company for 6 years, Michele moved to Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband. She accepted a position at Fox Den Country Club for 13 years as the Clubhouse Manager. Then the family relocated to Newnan and Michele started working for White Oak Golf Club in 2012.

About Shawn

"I've been in the industry for over 25 years; wow, what a journey! I started in this industry in the dish pit at a very young age and never looked back. I have worked all over the business, from helping my mother serve ice cream for private members to creating the finest of meals in restaurants. You can even add bartending and serving to the list too! I believe being a chef is one of the most challenging jobs in this world, so a great sense of humor is a must to last as long as I have. The ability to make people smile with the Culinary Creations I've placed in front of them or even our conversations. No matter where I have worked, I strive to make it the busiest it has ever been, and I have done so successfully. I'm looking forward to succeeding at that here!"

About Christopher

"With 23 years of culinary experience, I started my extensive career early. Italian and French cuisines have influenced my passion for the culinary arts. I have spent several years perfecting culinary techniques and have grown into a seasoned chef. I began my career with many fine dining establishments within my hometown, including Excalibur Restaurant, Ginopolis Restaurant, and Bayview Yacht Club. I extended my career in the hospitality industry with Embassy Suites Hotel. I would further branch my career by venturing to Georgia in 2010, where I became Sous Chef de Cuisine at Loew's Atlanta Hotel Midtown. Invited has had a strong influence on my career development. I have serviced our company for nine years and have impacted my culinary skills at some of our most notable Atlanta clubs. I started my career with ClubCorp as the Executive Sous Chef at the Manor Golf and Country Club until I pursued the opportunity to serve as the Executive Chef of Planterra Ridge Golf Club. I am excited to take what I learned in my seven years there to build a strong team and Member experience at Braelinn." I have been nominated twice for Chef of the Year and for other national awards. Due to my extensive history, the company has awarded me wine-tasting experiences in Napa Valley and training at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia. Part of my passion is the creativity and influence I put into each dish.

About Steve

Steve Morgan has worked at White Oak Golf Course for the past 12 years. He was the first assistant for four years and has held the Head Golf Course Superintendent position for the past eight years. Before moving to the Atlanta area in 2006, he was employed at Seven Oaks Country Club in Bakersfield California as the first assistant Golf Course Superintendent for six years. After graduating from Bakersfield JC in 1994 with a degree in Economics, he attended Rutgers Professional Turfgrass Management Program and graduated in 1996. Before getting his first assistants job, he worked at a few different golf courses as a spray technician and crew foreman. Steve is married with three children of ages 13, 15, and 16. His hobbies include working out, landscaping and enjoying all sporting events.

About Johnny

Johnny grew up in Senoia, GA and graduated from The Heritage School in Newnan. After working a summer job at White Oak Golf Club in 1993 he started classes at Gwinnett College in Golf Course Management. Following graduation, Johnny was hired as an Assistant Superintendent at White Water Creek for two years and then returned to White Oak as an Assistant to hone skills needed to become a Superintendent. Jeff Burton hired Johnny 3 years later to be the Head Superintendent at Heron Bay Golf Club in Locust Grove, GA in 2004. After 4 years at Heron Bay, Johnny moved to Sun City Peachtree in Griffin, GA and hardly had time to unpack when the job at Canongate 1 was available in October of 2009. Wanting to return to the area and work at a 36-hole golf course he returned and has made Canongate his home. Since accepting the position Johnny has married and his boys, Connor and Jack enjoy coming to work with Daddy and riding some of the equipment around the golf course and visiting with the staff.